31 March 2025

The Salvation Army is preparing to respond to the humanitarian crisis that has followed a devastating earthquake in the Sagaing and Mandalay regions, central Myanmar, on Friday 28 March 2025. Just 12 minutes after the first earthquake hit, an aftershock with a magnitude of 6.4 was recorded 18 km south of Sagaing.

It was the largest earthquake in the country for more than 100 years. At least 1,700 people have died, 300 are missing and more than 3,400 people sustained injuries. The death toll is expected to rise, making it one of the deadliest earthquakes in Myanmar’s modern history. The country has declared a week of mourning from today (Monday 31 March).

Damaged infrastructure

Thousands are displaced without food, water or medicine due to the collapse of hundreds of buildings. Millions of people are without power and in some places telephone lines are still down.

A Salvation Army officer (minister) in Myanmar reports: ‘The damage is severe, and it has made rescue operations very difficult. Important structures like the 90-year-old Irrawaddy River bridge and highways, including the Mandalay–Yangon route, have been badly damaged. Naypyidaw General Hospital was also destroyed, making it even harder to care for injured victims.

‘Mandalay Airport is now closed for six months because of the earthquake’s impact, and the main highway to Mandalay is unusable, forcing people to take an older road instead. This situation has slowed rescue and relief efforts, and many people are suffering without basic necessities such as food, clean water and shelter.’

Earthquake damage in Phyu, Myanmar

The Salvation Army in Myanmar

Logistics have made a response difficult, but a Salvation Army relief team will be travelling to affected areas tomorrow on Tuesday 1 April.

The Salvation Army has been present in Myanmar since 1915, headquartered in Yangon. Some Salvation Army buildings have been impacted by the tremors.

The corps (church) in Yeni, 300 km south of Mandalay, which is on the same fault line, has been damaged, and Captain Saw Samuel and his family have had to leave their home. The Salvation Army children’s home in Phyu has also been affected. Lieutenant Khin Cherry Soe reports that all children and staff are safe, but there are concerns about the structural safety of the building.

More information will be provided as The Salvation Army’s response continues.

Latest updates

2 April update 

The relief team, comprising four Salvation Army officers (ministers) from Myanmar, loaded two vehicles with aid items and are enroute from Yangon to Mandalay. 

Captain Pendent Thanga shares: ‘We are on our way to Mandalay with some essential relief items such as bedding, solar lights, drinking water and food items. Whilst The Salvation Army doesn’t have a presence in Mandalay, we have local contacts and we will be working with them to distribute these first relief items. During the trip we will also further assess the situation to find out the most urgent needs on the ground and which locations The Salvation Army should focus on. This will help us plan the next steps.’ 

4 April update 

Captain Pendent Thanga reports: 

‘I would like to provide an update on our recent relief efforts. On 2 April, our team spent approximately 16 hours traveling between Yangon and Mandalay, navigating through multiple checkpoints and security gates along the way. The following day (3 April), we dedicated another 11 hours to visiting and helping earthquake-affected communities across Mandalay, including downtown Mandalay, Tekone, Amarapura, Myitnge and Paleik. 

 ‘I am pleased to report that we successfully completed our first phase of relief work in these areas with the support of Mr Zaw Tint Naing. During our visits, we discovered that many families have lost their homes due to the earthquake. However, their struggles remain largely unnoticed because they reside in remote rural areas outside Mandalay City’s main urban zones that they need continue food support.  

‘Additionally, we noticed that certain restrictions, likely linked to ongoing conflict, complicated relief efforts.’ 

Captain Thanga concludes: ‘Thank you sincerely for your ongoing prayers and support.’ 

IHQ Communications

Tags: South Pacific and East Asia, Emergencies, News